Man Of Action (Hayden Barnes) is healthier and happier with the drop in temperature in Brisbane. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Action moves to Redcliffe on Thursday and he’s got his old bounce back, says Al
By Barry Lichter • 31 March 2021
Trainer Al Barnes heads off to Redcliffe on Thursday afternoon with Man Of Action, fully expecting the horse to start turning his form around.
Barnes only has to look at the four-year-old to know he’s ready to put an end to his nine-race streak out of the money.
“We’re really happy with him now - he was sour and dull and horrible in the coat and now he’s happy and bright and full of energy and his coat is dark.”
Man Of Action’s form fell away last December when he was tired at the end of long campaign and when Barnes brought him back in March he really struggled to cope with the very hot and humid conditions.
But with the very wet weather in Queensland has come a drop in temperature and Barnes says the horse is on the way back.
“He might have run only sixth last start but Hayden was very happy with him. He said he felt like a completely different horse and he even paced a lot better.”
Taken back from a wide draw, Man Of Action made up good ground from well back to run 22 metres behind winner Our Ridgy Didge.
With no racing at Albion Park on Good Friday, Barnes didn’t want the horse to miss a run, hence his decision to race at the turning Redcliffe saucer.
“It’s an even Redcliffe field but he should be competitive.
“We’ll give him confidence and let him run on again but I still expect him to run a real nice race and I think he can earn a decent cheque.
“But whatever he does, he will improve on and be ready to go next time.”
Man Of Action races at 6.47pm at Albion Park on Thursday.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
